§ 54. Mr. W. THORNEasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that the Industrial Assurance Commissioner made an award against an assurance company to pay£216 to Mr. J. T. Wolstenholme, of 3, The Parade, Margate, together with the sum of£54, representing accrued interest, in respect to a War Loan policy which has been declared to be outside ordinary industrial assurance contracts; that thousands of people have been influenced to pay premiums on this class of policy; and if he proposes to take any action to induce the company to return the premiums, with interest, to the policy holders?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Arthur Michael Samuel)Mr. J. T. Wolstenholme claimed against an industrial assurance company for the return of the premiums paid by him on a policy of endowment 1549 assurance issued by the company, under which the sum assured was payable in 5 per cent. War Stock, 1929–47, or cash, at option, with interest on such premiums, on the ground that the proposal was obtained by fraudulent misrepresentation of the terms of the assurance by the company's agent. The Industrial Assurance Commissioner awarded him£216, the amount of the premiums paid, and£54, interest at 5 per cent. on such premiums from their respective dates of payment to the date of the award. The decision was given on the facts of the particular case as proved in evidence. I understand that no conclusion should or can be drawn from it as to any other transaction than that involved in the particular claim. The remainder of the question therefore does not arise.
§ Mr. THORNEIs the Financial Secretary prepared to communicate with the Prudential Society, which is the body in question, as to whether there are not similar claims?
§ Mr. SAMUELI must ask for notice of any case which the hon. Gentleman has in mind.